K.I.T.T.

KITT was a very modified 1982 Pontiac Trans Am. Among the modifications: An inset sequentially-flashing red lightbar was installed in the front of the car to represent KITT's sensor array. The interior of the car was extremely modified, with a totally new dash and steering wheel, a groovy gas pedal with LEDs up the side that lighted up sequentially as the pedal was pressed, etc. KITT had many cool features, including a laser that emanated from his sensor array *, turbo boost (which allowed him to jump over anything in his way), super pursuit mode (jet engines, huge spoiler, fast fast fast, 'nuff said), ejector seats, etc. In two episodes, KITT battled his evil twin, KARR (Knight Automated Roving Robot).

*Accipiter informs me that the laser actually came from underneath the front bumper. I was ten years old when I last watched the show, so my memory's pretty hazy.

K.I.T.T. - Knight Industries Two-Thousand

Model Number: 2000/2
License Tag Number: KNIGHT (California)
Operator: Michael Knight (Formerly Michael Long), under the Foundation for Law and Government

Vehicle Type: Front engine, rear wheel drive, two passenger, two door coupe
Dimensions: Wheel base(101 in.) Length(189.8 in.) Width(72 in.) Height(37.2 in.)
Engine: Knight Industries Turbojet with modified afterburners
Transmission: 8 speed microprocessor turbodrive with built-in autopilot
Acceleration: 0-60mph>.2 seconds (with power boosters) Standing 1/4 mile>4.286sec.@300mph
Braking: 14 ft. from 70 MPH (without EBS)

Primary Features:

• Voice Analyzer
• Spectrograph
• Ultraphonic Chemical Analyzer
• Anamorphic Equalizer

Operational Features:

• Auto Cruise
• Auto Pursuit
• Super Pursuit Mode (Increased Aerodynamics)
• Emergency Braking System
• Auto Collision Avoidance (with override option)
• Emergency Eject
• Trajectory Guidance System
• Microwave Ignition Sensor
• Electronic Field Disrupter
• Grappling Hook
• Infrared Tracking Scope (10 Mile Range)
• Two-Wheel Ski mode
• Traction Spikes
• Laser Defense System

In-Dash Monitors:

• Record & Replay of viewed scenarios
• Freeze Frame
• Zoom
• Photo Imagery reproduction including Hard Copy output
• Vital Signs
• X-rays
• Maps, Charts, and Diagrammatics

Estimated Cost: $11,400,000

Background:
K.I.T.T. is a highly advanced Pontiac Trans-Am T-Top automobile. It was designed by a team led by Dr. Bonnie Barstow for the Foundation for Law and Government.

The first model in the series, K.A.R.R. (Knight Automated Roving Robot / model 1000) was a failure due to several flaws in its design. Since the design of the newest model included massive changes that differed from the K.A.R.R. prototype, the new model was designated the first in a new series, hence the model #2000.

While the K.A.R.R. unit's primary directive was self preservation, K.I.T.T.'s became the preservation of human life. This directive was not built into the CPU as in K.A.R.R., but was instead built into K.I.T.T.'s Master Persona Matrix, rendering it a primary factor in shaping K.I.T.T.'s "personality" as well as its actions.